Expression of inflammation-mediated cluster of genes as a new marker of canine mammary malignancy

Because canine mammary tumours constitute a serious clinical problem and there are no good prognostic markers (only histopathological variables are used), the aim of the presented study was to find new malignancy markers as well as to identify intracellular pathways and biological processes characteristic for canine mammary malignancy. We compared gene expression of the most malignant mammary tumours (poorly differentiated cancers of the 3rd grade of malignancy) with less malignant tumours (well differentiated cancers of the 1st grade of malignancy). The results of our study indicated that in dogs the number of tumour-infiltrating myeloid cells or expression of myeloid-specific antigens by cancer cells is related to the cancer progression and may constitute a new marker of malignancy, however further studies in this field are required.     

Plasma haptoglobin concentration in cattle with surgically corrected torsio uteri intrapartum

In 26 cows with surgically corrected torsio uteri intra partum, severity of disease, wound healing and secondary diseases were correlated with plasma haptoglobin concentration. The objective of the investigation was to determine, if an increased plasma haptoglobin concentration indicates the severity of disease respectively expected wound healing disorders or secondary diseases. The degree of severity of disease was determined by rectally diagnosed elasticity of the uterus before the surgery. In the present investigation, the severity of a uterine torsion intra partum could not be evaluated by determining the plasma haptoglobin concentration. In 9 of 11 days of investigation there was no significant difference in the plasma haptoglobin concentration of animals with an elastic uterus (animals with good prognosis) in contrast to cows with tight uterus (patients with poor prognosis) found. The significant differences on the 6th and 7th day post surgery are related to secondary diseases in patients with poor prognosis, which develop evidently earlier and form stronger. The correlation of all cows with--to those without secondary illnesses shows, that 10 days post surgery patients with secondary diseases have a significant higher plasma haptoglobin concentration (p < 0.05) compared to animals without secondary illnesses. No correlations existed between plasma haptoglobin concentration and wound healing in the examined cattle. A postoperatively increase of haptoglobin indicates a higher risk of secondary illnesses and complications.     

Usefulness of serological examinations in the analysis of Salmonella infections in pig herds

The development of the antibody concentration against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of S. Typhimurium und S. Choleraesuis in rearing pigs during the fattening period and in breeding sows of the corresponding age was recorded. The studies revealed the following results. Antibodies of isotypes IgG1 and IgG2 revealed a more pronounced specificity against the according Salmonella serovar than IgM antibodies. The calculated "antibody percent value" based on the total amount of Salmonella antibodies is mainly determined by the IgM antibodies in sera and meat juice, respectively. In fattening pigs a significant increase of antibodies against IgM and total Ig was observed between week 3 and 10 after beginning of the rearing period. In breeding pigs this increase was detectable already earlier. In only 3 out of 10 groups an increase of IgG1 and IgG2 was also seen. The detected significant increase of total Ig and IgM in the other groups might be the result of a less intensive exposure to salmonellas or it might be due to an increase of unspecific antibodies induced by other antigens. Serological investigations represent a valuable tool to record the intensity and development in time of the Salmonella exposure in pigs farms. Examination of total Ig is an appropriate method to detect pig herds with a high level of Salmonella exposure, for detailed epidemiological studies in pig farms the examination of antibody isotypes will give more comprehensive information.     

Mitochondrial activity and morphology in developing porcine oocytes and pre-implantation non-cultured and cultured embryos

Mitochondria are important determinants of developmental competence for oocytes and embryos owing to their central role in cellular metabolism, yet mitochondrial activity and morphometry during early porcine development have not been quantified. In this study, we examined the membrane potential Δψ(m) and the surface density Sv(in,m) of the inner mitochondrial membrane in pig oocytes and pre-implantation embryos using fluorescent probes and confocal microscopy. Mitochondria and their cristae were also examined by transmission electron microscope. Δψ(m) was consistently low from immature oocytes up to morulae and increased significantly in the early blastocyst before decreasing at the expanded blastocyst stage. This stage-dependent pattern of Δψ(m) changes differs from that reported for other mammals. We also determined that Δψ(m) is lower in cultured when compared to non-cultured porcine early blastocysts. Sv(in,m) was higher in immature oocytes than mature oocytes and remained constant up to the 4- to 8-cell embryo stage. It increased significantly at morula and early blastocyst stages. No differences in Sv(in,m) were found between developmentally matched non-cultured and cultured embryos. These results indicate that the inner mitochondrial membrane potential and surface density change significantly during pre-implantation porcine development in relation to metabolic alterations of the embryo. It is possible that modification of Δψ(m) by manipulating culture conditions may improve the performance of embryos that develop in vitro.     

Content and composition of essential oil and content of rosmarinic acid in lemon balm and balm genotypes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Melissa officinalis</Emphasis>)

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) is used since ancient times because of its sedative, spasmolytic and antiviral effects. Its therapeutic impact is due to the content of essential oil and rosmarinic acid. A set of 68 M. officinalis genotypes was evaluated for content and composition of essential oil and the content of rosmarinic acid. For all genotypes the level of ploidy was determined. The 68 genotypes were clone plants grown and evaluated for two years at Quedlinburg. For analysis of secondary metabolites distillation, gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography was used. The content of essential oil varied in this study in ranges from 0.03 to 0.33% for the second cut 2010 and 0.01–0.35% for the second cut 2011. The rosmarinic acid content ranged in the year 2010 from 3.67 to 7.55% and in the year 2011 from 4.92 to 8.07%. Via statistical analyses two chemotypes of essential oil were found: chemotype citral and chemotype β-caryophyllene oxide. Ploidy was determined for all genotypes and two cytotypes were found: diploid 2n = 2x = 32 (62 of 68 genotypes) and triploid 2n = 3x = 48 (6 of 68 genotypes).